Hiina

Part of the fun of kushikatsu—deep-fried skewers—is deciding how to season each one. A visitor notes that Hiina’s fried-food menu recommends seasonings for individual skewers, with guidance on how to eat them and a choice of salts. For a first order, try the set of 5 kushikatsu skewers. It is listed at ¥605; the contents change with the seasons, making it an easy way to see what’s on offer. Prices and availability may change.

For a wider range of ingredients, consider the premium set of 5 kushikatsu skewers, listed at ¥1,155. Prices and availability may change. One diner enjoyed meat-stuffed shiitake mushrooms, wagyu, lotus root with shrimp shinjō, pork wrapped around cod roe and shiso, and a head-on prawn with tartare sauce. Another highlighted the texture and savoury flavour of the head-on prawn with tartare sauce and the lotus-root-and-shrimp shinjō, as well as the taste of the wagyu skewer.

If you’d also like yakitori, order skewers individually or choose the set of 5. The standard options are one skewer each of thigh, negima (chicken and spring onion) and tsukune (chicken meatball), listed at ¥187 apiece. The menu also indicates a choice of tare sauce or salt grilling. Prices and availability may change. Special chicken thigh and tenderloin skewers use Awaodori, a chicken raised in Tokushima; they’re worth considering if you’re focusing on yakitori. There are also dishes to round out a meal of assorted skewers, including salt ramen, old-fashioned Napolitan spaghetti and salmon or pickled-plum rice balls.

There’s plenty of choice at the drinks counter, too. Alongside a classic lemon sour, the menu lists honey-lemon, gari-ginger-lemon and yuzu-sorbet-lemon versions, and one diner enjoyed choosing a drink. For groups wanting a set meal, there’s a half-and-half party course combining kushikatsu and yakitori. It is listed at ¥4,200 and includes 2 hours of free-flow drinks. Prices and availability may change.